Long Beach, CA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Daily penalty
- up to $500 per violation
- Legal basis
- Clean Water Act & Porter-Cologne Act
- Construction trigger
- 1+ acre disturbance needs permit
- Protest window
- 20 calendar days
- Spill cleanup deadline
- 72 hours if urgent
Summary
Long Beach's Stormwater and Runoff Pollution Control Ordinance bans dumping anything into the municipal storm drain system beyond rainwater. Municipal Code § 8.96.050(A) prohibits any illicit discharge into the MS4, and § 8.96.060 separately bans intentionally placing pollutants, from batteries and tires to yard debris, chemicals, and oil cans, where they can enter it. Enforcement runs through the Director of Public Works under NPDES permit authority.
No person shall cause or allow an illicit discharge to enter the municipal stormwater system. ... No person shall intentionally place, litter, accumulate, maintain, discharge or cause to enter into the MS4 any pollutant or any foreign object such as batteries, tires, waste receptacles, yard debris, refuse, rubbish, food waste, chemicals, animal waste or oil cans.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
§ 1251) and the Porter-Cologne Act (California Water Code § 13000) through the City's Municipal NPDES Permit. 110). 080(B)). The Director enforces through a Notice of Violation that can order cleanup within 30 days, or 72 hours for an active spill, and a separate Notice of Penalty. A protest must be filed within 20 calendar days of receiving either notice, and the Director must issue a written decision within 20 days; an unsatisfied party can then request a hearing, held within 10 days of the request.
Violations & Fines
A violator faces a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each violation under § 8.96.180, on top of the City's actual cleanup and enforcement costs recoverable under Government Code § 54988. The Director can also revoke City permits, licenses, or occupancy rights for chronic violations, and unpaid abatement costs become a lien against the property under Government Code § 38771.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an illicit discharge in Long Beach?
Does a business have to clean its parking lot to comply?
How fast must a spill be cleaned up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle stormwater management.